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Don't hear much talk about the Jensen Twin Servo around here. Mercenary's description says it is the best mic preamp ever made, for what that is worth. Anyone use one? I am curious if anyone has done a comparison to the SCA J99 preamp, which is basically a clone for the most part. I recorded some vocals with a J99 last night for a sweet clean part in the middle of a heavy song, and the sound was buttery, open, creamy, deep, and orange; kind of like the sun punching through the shade on a humid day. But not unlike the smoothness of a freshly waxed hardwood floor in a gentleman's den.

:lol:

Comments

Randyman... Thu, 09/01/2005 - 17:37

I just finished my J99's last week. I haven't even tried them yet (just tested them quickly with an AT-4047), but they look pretty! :) They are pretty quiet, and have a good deal of gain (like 70dB IIRC). I certainly won't have a "Real" Hardy Twin Servo to compare them to, but I think they will do the trick for my needs.

Mr. Hardy pointed out to me in another thread that there are a few differences in the circuit, and of course different transformers (Or my slang for transformer = "trafo" :oops: :eek: :oops: ). Mr. Hardy is one heck of a nice guy (as is Tim Ryan over at 7th Circle). I actually called The Hardy Company at 11PM to leave a message reguarding my 990c opamp order, and who picks up the phone? John Hardy while making a Chocolate Milkshake! Now that is dedication. 8-)

It is hard to go wrong with either of these gentlemens' products IMO. Stellar service on both accounts.

:cool:

Randyman... Tue, 09/06/2005 - 17:09

Nothing yet, feggymango. I've been tied up lately with PC issues, and my job. I doubt I will be able to compare the 7th Circle J99 directly to the Hardy, but I'd bet they are closer than you might think...

I have built 6 Seventh Circle Modules so far, and I might even start another SC rack at some point. Those C84's are also looking tempting, as do a handful more N72's and A12's :eek: . Some good analog compressors and limiters are first on my list, as is the never-ending task of updating my mic locker :) .

:cool:

Kev Wed, 09/07/2005 - 00:54

thewelfareline wrote: what is the documentation like on those jlm audio kits? is there some paper work or are you pretty much left on your own?

It's all on the site
and Joe will email you any additional stuff you want

however if you want a blow by blow ... how to drill and hole ... how to solder a switch ...
what is a SPST switch ... sort of stuff
then you may feel on your own.

these questions are difficult to answer as skill levels can be so varied.

anonymous Wed, 09/07/2005 - 12:15

hey thanks kev,
i am fairly tech savy, i have a trident 80b that i have done all the recapping to and i have built some simple audio circuts and such like compressors and simple mic pres, so i am skilled with an iron, i was just curious because i saw the kits and transformer do not come together and was wondering if you had to mod anything to put the transformer in or if there is a assigned spot to put it in.

thanks again

Kev Wed, 09/07/2005 - 15:17

the suggested input trafos will fit on the PCB

you can go with no output trafo ...
or mount one on the chassis
typically it is heavy so Joe opted for the chassis mount

The LAB has some pictures

My page is not complete yet ... I'm getting there but just time is so .... ?
http://www.diyfactory.com/projects/JLM99x/jlm99x.htm

you can add the DI
or build it as a seperate
http://www.diyfactory.com/projects/jlmsimpledi/jlmsimpledi.htm

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